**Still going under some editing- august 7, 1998

 I used the school I was working at and my role:  Chairperson of the technology group, teacher, resource person re: staff development.  To restructure, organize, plan, demonstrate possibilities,, etc. of integration of technology in regular teaching.

New School, New Plan

I must say here that changing school, by itself, is quite a change already.  The school focus changes -when you change school!  When I moved to my 'new' school, we had to participated in 'enhancement school plan' groups to improve our school.  Since I have been interested in technology for a long time, I chose to be in the Technology group!  Really, not all schools are at the same level of integration and expertise.  It really depends of the people living in that school.  In October 97, unexpectedly,  I found myself to be the chairperson of that same group (remember, I'm new to the school).  It took me a full weekend to dig in a box of papers, organized it, and try to evaluated where Banff Trail was regarding their technology plan.  As part of their last year plan, the group had invited Judy Hunter (an important figure regarding technology integration with CBE) to look at the Technology Outcomes.  As a new member of the school, I had to spend time and energy, to learn about the ‘new’ plan/picture of my 'new' school and the 'new Board' and 'new rules' that go with it!

Therefore, my first intended project had to be dropped ... and I had to focus on a new project.

Integration at Banff Trail

Technology Plan 1997-98
Major goals

“Work to Rules”

You were aware I'm sure that Calgary Public Board was on 'work to rules' which made it impossible to stay after school so forget any extra until Jan 98.  During that time things were really, really slow!  It was even difficult for me to stay after school to find out about the school resources.  Further more, I was teaching part-time only (.5).  So one week I was at school for two days, the other week I was at school three days, etc.  So not much has been accomplished during that first period.
 
 

This is a list of our major goals.  As a new member of the school, and suddenly as the chairperson of the Technology group, I felt that to be able to go ahead in technology integration, I needed an overview of  the whole picture –in terms of inventory of hardware,  network, software and human resources- to be able to make an effective use of it.

This year, included in goal 1, is to have Internet access in each classroom.  Each classroom should be able to access the Internet.  So a hub has been purchased, to give more connections, as well as ethernet cards to connect our computers to the network.  The cabling has been done one or two year ago.  Right now some of our classrooms don't have a computer fast enough yet (mac SE) and some don't have a computer at all.  We have a computer lab of Apple IIe's with Mecc software.  In the library our newest computers lies, with software and CD Roms.

I'm guessing that because I'm new to the school, because I'm working part time and because it's work to rules, I'm having difficulty to find out where the resources are in this school.

Finding out about your resources

1.  Organize the resources
2.  Let the teachers know where are the resources
3.  Show the teachers how to use the resources

As a teacher, I believe that before I can teach something,  I need to know what resources I will be using.  Why is this different for technology?
As I noted earlier,  to be able to integrate technology in one's teaching (make effective use of computer technology), one needs an overview of machines available and programs and software as well.  As a teacher, I can only plan to use what is there.  So for me, knowing the resources is very important.  Unfortunately, there was no such of  lists/records yet of older hardware and even newer one (since some were donations, etc.), network information, software, CD Roms, etc.  I felt the urge and necessity of having copies of our resources.  During the course of the year we slowly were able built up our inventory of resources.  We had volunteer parents helping and starting our hardware inventory of older machines.  Our librarian wrote us a list of software and CDs available in the library.  We are in the process of listing and organizing our older software.

Making effective use of resources/ re-structuration of resources

If we wish to integrated technology in our teaching, I believe resources should be easy to find, the hardware component should be easy to use and available, well located and organized, but most of all, it should be in good working condition.  Otherwise there will be a big tendency for teacher not to use them. Teachers are not technology specialist!!  As we already know, we can have the greatest resources but they will stay on the shelf unless promoted, shown how to be used, and freed from hassle.  This bring back to me a question:  computer in the classroom or computer lab?
I personnaly think that it depends of the level of expertise of the staff.  The lab is still easier to bring your whole classroom and learn a new skill.  When students and staff are familiar with new skills they can be integrated in the classroom.

Methodology

Where, why and what is it, that we want to integrate technology in our teaching and learning?  The internet is a great resource but the schools need resources already available and organized for them.  Teachers don't have time to search on the Internet for specific resources.  We need a library of virtual resources with lesson plans if needed!

I still find strange, that some people still have a tendency to think that newer machines with make things better!
I love newer machines but it's not the machines that makes technology integration successful, It's how you use it!!  Lots of planning has to be involved in that process.  Otherwise it's not a great incentive to put more money into technology in education.

Staff working together

Although I know that it's not everybody that is truly interested in technology integration, most of the staff appreciated and participated in informal workshops to get their computer skills and knowledge upgraded

I believe computer integration is everybody's business as a staff if we wish it to work.

Staff development

Educating the teachers is also part of technology integration.

Here at Banff Trail School, a fair percentage of the staff feels ‘comfortable' with ‘some’ aspect of technology –mostly using programs.  There is still a good percentage, however, that don't feel very comfortable in using new programs and that do not feel very confident in how to integrate it into their teaching.  They are not sure yet how to blend the technology curriculum to the other curricula.
After Christmas, in January, when 'work to rule' was over, I started to give informal workshop once a week after school.  I gave workshop about CBE e-mail, surfing the Internet, doing searshes on th Internet.  These workshop were mostly for beginners.  Normally, staff members are at different level of skills and knowledge; so I started with the beginners and made my workshops 'learn and play' very informal and friendly.
 
What skills do teachers need in order to be able to integrated technology in their teaching?  This is the ultimate question and my personal answer is many.

There is a lot a questions, however, to take into consideration.  Integration needs to make sense and needs to blend with other subjects but also with other skills.  Integrate the skills as well as the subject.  Make learning more meaningful.  Have some purpose in your reasons to use such and such.  For instance, think about: what skills?  what subject? what result? you wish to gain, to learn, to attain ?

Workshop for teachers

Methodology needs to become part of teacher training.

Apllication Software

-How, where and why using a word processing?
-How, where and why using a spreadsheet?
-How, where and why using a graphic program?
-How, where and why using a database?

The WWW

-How, where and why using email?
-How, where and why using the Internet?  What do you expect to find there?
-How , where and why searching the Internet? but mostly, searching for what?
-Do you have any resources 'out there' that can help you with you teaching.
-Do you intend to create your own resources to leave on-line?

Other programs software

-How, where and why using drill-and-practice?
-How, where and why using simulation?
-How, where and why using problem solving?
-How, where and why using tutorial?
-Do all students needs drill-and-practice?

Teacher need to have a basic knowledge of the various types of application available at their school and they need to know what they can expect to produce with such and such application and they need to know where it would be beneficial to use.  Teachers also need to know why they are using the Internet, what they expect to find there that will help their teaching.
 

Reflection of Brigitte Lepine
August 7th, 1998